Polished-nickel faucets have always been popular in the kitchen as they proudly sit next to the sink, and stainless steel is definitely no stranger to the kitchen thanks to its sturdy and easy-to-clean reputation. But the last few seasons have seen the warm glow of copper finding its way back into the modern kitchen that seems to draw inspiration from an era gone by. A revival of styles such as vintage, rustic, farmhouse and industrial have seen homeowners opt for copper cooking ranges and finishes that play into the overall ‘modern-meets-classic’ theme.

Think of Scandinavian style and the first thing that comes to mind is the color white. As we alluded to earlier, the harsh winters that shaped the style dictated this color choice, as homeowners wanted an interior that was airy, cheerful and moved away from the chill and gloom outside. White is the obvious choice, as it maximizes the available natural light while keeping the visual fragmentation to a minimum. Since white is already a popular hue when it comes to kitchen design, most of us will have little hassle in switching styles.

Embracing a dash of darkness before you take a bigger plunge is a smart choice when it comes to altering your kitchen’s color scheme. Instead of a full-fledged paint job or even a retiling of the backsplash, start off small by trying out black accents, a gray cabinet door or two or even dark pendant lights above the kitchen counter. Combine the light and dark elements to paint a picture of contrasting synergy that leaves friends and family captivated. White countertops coupled with dark island base, gray bar stools or even just a few black vases on the floating shelves – think small before you settle on the final look.